Maryland Sheriff Warns of State Lawmakers’ “Sneaky” Plans to Limit Local Cooperation with ICE

Sheriff slams Maryland lawmakers for last-minute ICE bill change, calls move a 'slap in the face' to taxpayers.
Maryland State Capital Building. Maryland State Capital building in Annapolis, Maryland.
Maryland State Capital Building. Maryland State Capital building in Annapolis, Maryland.

CAMBRIDGE, MD — The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office publicly criticized Maryland legislators this week over what it called a “sneaky and underhanded” move to advance legislation limiting local cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Key Points

  • Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office alleges Maryland lawmakers bypassed democratic process on ICE-related bill.
  • Language from HB 1222 was added to Senate Bill 828, limiting local ICE cooperation.
  • Sheriff urges public to contact House Speaker Adrienne Jones and Senate President Bill Ferguson.

Sheriff decries legislative maneuver

In a statement posted Thursday to social media, the sheriff’s office accused members of the Maryland House of Delegates of stripping House Bill 1222 of its independence and attaching its provisions to Senate Bill 828. The move bypassed a standard vote in the Senate, according to the statement.

The sheriff’s office said the maneuver was intended to prevent local jurisdictions from partnering with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to identify and deport individuals in the U.S. illegally who are also charged with crimes.

“This shady maneuver bypasses the scrutiny of a full Senate or committee vote,” the post read. “It is a calculated sidestep of democratic process and a slap to the faces of all law abiding Maryland citizens.”

Controversial Senate bill raises concern

The core of the controversy revolves around Senate Bill 828, which the sheriff claims now carries provisions that eliminate 287(g) programs—federal-local partnerships allowing ICE to collaborate with local law enforcement on immigration enforcement.

The sheriff’s office stated that 76% of Marylanders oppose eliminating these partnerships and cited internal polling suggesting that 65% of Democrats also support such cooperation.

“It is beyond shameful to all victims of crimes that the Maryland House of Delegates is playing political games,” the statement added.

Call for public pressure on leadership

The post included direct contact information for House Speaker Adrienne Jones and Senate President Bill Ferguson, urging citizens to voice their opposition to the legislative action.

“As your Sheriff, I am calling on Speaker Jones and President Ferguson to step in and support the MAJORITY of Marylanders,” the post concluded.